Cooperative Advocacy: Working with the State to Improve Programs

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California advocates’ “cooperative advocacy” with the state department of social services is a good strategy especially after welfare reform and its limits on litigation options. Advocates now meet regularly with the agency on welfare issues and can comment on, and even draft, certain state directives to county welfare agencies. While contested issues and litigation remain, cooperative advocacy can shape welfare policy to maximize benefit and minimize harm to low-income clients.

By Jodie Berger From November-December 2006